Members of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) staged a protest at the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on Tuesday after a decision to approve its co-opted members was deferred once again. The protest, which included sloganeering, prompted the mayor to briefly adjourn the general body meeting.
Deferment due to BJP's delay
The deferment was ostensibly caused by the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) delay in submitting its list of nominees. Based on its floor strength, the BJP is eligible to nominate seven members. The protesters demanded that the mayor immediately approve the three names submitted by the NCP and decide on the BJP's list later.
The civic body appoints 10 co-opted members from sectors such as health and education. The mayor stated that the matter would be taken up in the next general body meeting, scheduled for May 15, and noted that the BJP has yet to finalize its nominations.
Opposition leader's allegations
Leader of opposition Bhausaheb Bhoir alleged that the deferment was because the BJP objected to one of the NCP's nominees. "No one from the BJP has approached me directly, but I fail to understand how another party can decide our nominees," he said.
"Whatever issues the BJP has should remain internal to them. Our nominations should not be held up," Bhoir added, emphasizing that the house could reject the NCP's list in case of a disagreement. House leader Prashant Shitole of the BJP said the party has no objection to the NCP's nominees and that they would submit their list soon.
Precedent cited
The NCP submitted its list in March, while the BJP sought a month's time. A decision has since been pending. Bhoir pointed to a precedent, referring to the Pune Municipal Corporation's general body approving one party's nominees first and the rest in a subsequent meeting.
